Ring of Fire announcement expected

The Chief and Council of the Webequie First Nation are planning to make an announcement Wednesday related to the Ring of Fire chromite project. They say two independent documents related to the development will be released as part of the news conference that has been scheduled for 10:30.

Stabbing suspect appears in court

It's back to court next month for the city man who is charged in connection with a stabbing rampage at Andras Court last month.   29 year old Eli John remains in custody at the District Jail following this weeks court appearance.  Several people were stabbed in the incident,  one of them very seriously. 

OPP take us for a R.I.D.E.

The OPP's Festive R.I.D.E. program is going to begin on Friday. Sgt. Shelley Garr says it's during the holiday period that drinking and driving seems to spike with police statistics showing it's worse this time of year. She says last year 22 impaired driving charges were laid by the Thunder Bay OPP.

ER stays busy

The Emergency Room at the Health Sciences Centre is still hopping. Director Dr. Andrew Affleck says visits this year are up about 3 per cent. Affleck says contrary to what some may think, most patients aren't candidates for walk in clinics.  He says many of them need the services of the ER when they come in with chest pains along with heart and breathing problems.   Affleck says the increase at the Health Science Centre mirrors what is happening across the province.

Deer kill creates talk

There's no shortage of opinion about the city's decision to allow bow hunting for deer to reduce the population. We asked people if they agreed with the move. Those we spoke to were split on the issue.

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Humane Society hopeful

Thunder Bay's Humane Society is hopeful after receiving almost 7 thousand dollars in just 17 days.  The organization is short 180 thousand dollars and is threatening to close its doors if more money isn't raised by December 31st.  The board will meet again in December to evaluate their options.

City Solicitor takes 1 year break

Thunder Bay's top lawyer is taking a one year break to focus on labour relations law.  Rosalie Evans' one year sabbatical starts January 9th and will practice with the Thunder Bay firm of Weiler Maloney Nelson. The City says the solicitor who will act during the sabbatical will be announced in the near future.

Council Approves Deer Management Plan

City Council has approved the Deer Management Strategy.  Council voted to move forward with a pair of by-laws that will pave the way for bow hunting in the city next fall.  Council also voted in favour of banning the feeding of deer in the city.  The debate over the by-laws went till just after 11:30 before the vote was called.  Councillors asked a number of questions to a couple of deputations and wanted to learn more about how bow hunting would be done in the city.

Aboriginal involvment in Municipal Elections presented to council

Aboriginal involvement in municipal elections is very low.  That was the findings of a report that was presented to council by the Ontario Native Women's Association.  The report was handed out to council as well as Elections Ontario and Elections Canada.  ONWA Spokesperson Judi Nelson Childs says she hopes to see a committee developed to help increase Aboriginal involvement ahead of the next municipal Election. 

Evergreen group gets approval

City Council has voted in favour of rezoning a house on Heron Street to allow a community group to move in. Evergreen A United Neighbourhood is hoping to open a community health and resource centre. The building was formerly the club house for the Hell's Angels. One man spoke out against the plan saying he didn't want to live next to a youth centre that would lower property values. Council voted unanimously in favour of the rezoning.

Gravelle wants to hear from Global Sticks

With news that Global Sticks has closed its doors, the Forestry Minister is hoping to get an explanation from the company.  Michael Gravelle says he isn't going to speculate on why the company closed down until he gets the facts.  Gravelle says he hopes the company reopens in the near future.

LU athletes to instruct FN youth

Lakehead University is taking its sporting skills to Northern First Nations. Coaches and players will be going to the remote communities to instruct the youth this season. LU's Tom Warden says it's an important step for the university.  Wasaya Airways will be flying the students as part of the agreement.

NAN Conference this week

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Chiefs are in Thunder Bay this week to talk about the Ring of Fire and prescription drug abuse.  Grand Chief Stan Beardy says they've got a lot on their plate.  The Chiefs are meeting at the Victoria Inn for the next three days starting Tuesday.

16 and Pregnant in Kenora

After sifting through 4 years of data- its official - Teen pregnancy is on the rise in Kenora.  Code Red says there were 53 pregnancies for every thousand girls between the ages of 15 and 19 in 2009 – that’s 24 more teen pregnancies in the district and the Ontario average.

Sioux Lookout new interim CAO

Sioux Lookout has a new interim CAO.  Council has agreed to appoint Arie Hoogenboom to the position, effective tomorrow.  Hoogenboom is the former Dryden City Manager and will serve as CAO for a 6-month term.  Mayor Dennis Leney says Hoogenboom knows the opportunities and challenges facing local communities.

Grann trial to resume in the new year

The first week of testimony is now complete in the trial of police Constable Toni Grann. She is facing 11 counts of Breach of Trust. The prosecution says it involves local records of the Ontario Sex Offender Registry which Grann was in charge of. Testimony took place all of last week and the trial will be continuing in Thunder Bay on January the 30th

Coroner concludes Antoinette Lavoie investigation

The Regional Coroner's Office has wrapped up it's investigation into the murder of Antoinette Lavoie.  Dr. Michael Wilson says they've decided to send the case to the Chief Coroner for review.  Joseph Lavoie killed his estranged wife and then himself in December of last year.

Deer plan up at council tonight

City Administration is recommending council approve two new bylaws to help curb the deer population in the city.  Councillor Lynda Rydholm says the first bylaw would prohibit feeding deer and the second would allow bow hunters to hunt in parts of the city.

Council set to hear presentation from ONWA

One of the big topics before council tonight will be a presentation on Aboriginal Participation in Municipal Elections.  Mayor Keith Hobbs says election participation needs to improve on all fronts especially with First Nations.

Global Sticks Closed

A local company that has received Provincial funding for it's operations has closed its doors.  Global Sticks in Oliver Paipoonge is not up and running and hasn't made any indication that they'll reopen.  In October the company was forced to make layoffs.  The company makes sticks for ice creme bars, corn dogs, and paint paddles.